South Dublin Coast

South Dublin Coast, Co. Dublin by Stephen McAvoy

The Patchbirding site is set along the South Dublin Coast, stretching from Bullock Harbour in the north to Shanganagh near the border to County Wicklow in the south. Although mainly coastal, it also includes some forested areas on Killiney Hill and some gardens in the Shanganagh Area.

Patch boundaries

Killiney Bay

Bullock Harbour hosts a diverse range of gulls during the winter and in the late nineties, a Ross's Gull was found here. The rocky coast between here and Coliemore Harbour hosts a few wintering Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers, as well as Black Guillemots in summer. The latter site is also one of the best seawatching spots on the Dublin coasts, with all four Skua species and Magnificent Frigatebird recorded from here. Coliemore Harbour overlooks the Dalkey Island, where a few pairs of Common and Arctic Terns nest. These are joined by a few Roseate Terns as well. Mediterranean Gull is common in Dalkey Sound during the summer. Dalkey Hill has a mixture of coniferous and broadleaf woodland, with Great Spotted Woodpecker (still rare in Ireland) recently seen. Shanganagh Beach is a good place to look for Ringed Plover and other waders, as well as Wheatear and Sand Martin in summer. Dipper, Kingfisher and Little Egret are occasional visitors to the Loughlinstown River that flows along the southern boundary of the site.

Mediterranean Gulls

Common Tern

Great Black-backed Gull

Finally, the garden (included in the patch) list stands at 70 species. Will there be a repeat of the Reed Warbler and Green Sandpiper found last year?